Simply making playoffs isn't enough for Amerks this year

After making the playoffs, the goal is a deep playoff run for Rochester's storied AHL franchise.
Leo Roth

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Amerks Hall of Fame player Chris Taylor returns for his second season behind the bench. He led Amerks to a playoff berth last season and said fans have a reason "to be excited.''(Photo: Max Schulte / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)Buy Photo

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Rochester Americans general manager Randy Sexton called it a “top-down, bottom-up approach.’’

In Buffalo, the parent Sabres provide the resources. In Rochester, the Amerks provide the environment for developing successful players who will one day help the Sabres be successful.

Year 1 of the Great Culture Change put in place by new general managers Jason Botterill in Buffalo and Sexton in Rochester — two men who once worked magic for the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins — bore quick fruit: a playoff berth for the Amerks, their first in three seasons.

However, a quick three-game sweep at the hands of the Syracuse Crunch, coupled with the Sabres’ playoff drought hitting seven years with yet another last-place finish in the NHL, showed just how extensive this organizational rebuilding project would be.

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“Playoffs was one of our goals and we wanted to go deeper, so we didn’t achieve that goal,’’ Sexton said. “But in terms of changing the culture, putting in place the standards we believe are critical for sustainable-success, and getting the right people here, no doubt we felt it was a successful season.’’

It means that when the puck drops for the Amerks’ 63rd American Hockey League season Friday against the Charlotte Checkers at Blue Cross Arena, the bar will be set higher.

The last of Rochester’s six Calder Cups came 22 years ago, its last playoff series win was 13 years ago.

But last season’s 24-point jump in the standings under rookie coach Chris Taylor, the retention of 14 players off that team, the addition of a handful of AHL free agents, and seven rookies, three of them strong Sabres’ prospects, gives everyone reason to believe a legitimate run at a title is possible.

Amerks general manager Randy Sexton hoists the Stanley Cup as director of scouting for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He starts his second season of rebuilding a winning culture in Rochester, the Buffalo Sabres' farm team.(Photo: Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)

“Regular-season success is one measure of your model, but playoff success is a more accurate measure of your model and how it’s working,’’ Sexton said. “Part of development is playing in tough games, tough series, the grind of pressure-packed games, the big crowds. That’s part of development. And it’s no secret part of our strategy is to build the right culture in Rochester and when players flow up to Buffalo, they take that winning culture with them.’’

The veteran corps Sexton and Botterill handed him includes Nathan Paetsch, Zach Redmond (team-leading 47 points), Taylor Fedun and Andrew MacWilliam, which will form the backbone of a deep defensive corps, along with ageless center Kevin Porter, who keeps churning along in his 13th pro season. Porter had 17 goals and 25 assists last season.

The Amerks lost some goal-scoring but do get back team Rookie of the Year C.J. Smith, who finished with 17 goals and 27 assists, and Kyle Criscuolo (15-19 – 34).

A lot will be expected of Nylander (18 goals in two seasons) and Bailey (53 goals in three seasons) early before the inevitable recalls kick in. Nylander and Bailey each made a strong bid to stick with the Sabres full-time.

Veteran free agent forwards Wayne Simpson, Tyler Randell and Yannick Veilleux add size to the lineup when a physical style is called upon. The Amerks were also anticipating the addition of 22-year-old defenseman Jack Dougherty, a former second-round selection, obtained in a trade with Nashville for Nick Baptiste.

Linus Ullmark, a workhorse in net for three seasons in Rochester, earned his long-expected NHL roster spot in Buffalo. But consummate pro Adam Wilcox and free agent Scott Wedgewood, who played 20 NHL games last year with Arizona, figure to form a strong battery.

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Amerks goalie Scott Wedgewood attempts to stop a shot by Rasmus Asplund during practice as Eric Cornel, left, heads to the net in practice on Wednesday.(Photo: Max Schulte / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)

“There was a reason why we brought these guys back, the leaders they were in the dressing room and on the ice, and we’ve got some young guys coming in, some second- and third-year guys,’’ Taylor said. “I think we have a good mix. You never know until we actually step on the ice Friday and see how we do. But right now, I’m excited and I know our fans should be excited.’’

In preseason play, the Amerks beat the Crunch 4-1 and split two games with the defending Calder Cup champ Toronto Marlies.

Bailey, who starts his fourth pro season in Rochester, said experiencing the playoffs last year forced him to raise his game to another level and looks forward to doing it again.

“That playoff series was fast-paced and very physical,’’ said Bailey, who scored two goals. “For me, I kind of made that decision to play fast and physical and finish off my hits. They were definitely dishing it out, and I ended up having a good playoff.’’

As for a change in culture, Bailey said he felt it like one of those checks dished out by the Crunch.

“You create a culture by the type of people you bring in,’’ Bailey said. “Chris Taylor is a super positive guy whether we’re winning or losing, and that trickles down to our leadership group, the young guys and the guys in the middle. We stressed in meetings that everyone is here for a reason, every guy is a character guy, a good person and I think that translates to the ice.’’

The super-skilled Guhle, a second-round pick in the Connor McDavid-Jack Eichel year, established himself as a player to watch last season with 26 points in 50 games in Rochester. He also appeared in 18 games for Buffalo, picking up five assists.

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Rochester's Brendan Guhle rips a shot on the Utica goal from just inside the blue line. Top Sabres defensive prospect had 26 points for Amerks last season.(Photo: SHAWN DOWD/@sdowdphoto/staff photographer)

“It’s a blessing in disguise, a chance to work on my game some more, hopefully get some wins,’’ said Guhle when asked about returning to Rochester.

“We definitely think we have a championship team in there (the locker room), a lot of skill, a nice mix of older and younger guys, veterans to lead the way. We feel we can play any style and we’ve set a high standard for us this year.’’

As for Taylor, who will be assisted by Gord Dineen and Toby Petersen again, nobody knows the storied history of the franchise better than he. He helped write it. And now that fans have tasted the playoffs again, Taylor welcomes the fact expectations have been raised.

“There’s always pressure, always nerves,’’ he said. “I’ll be nervous Friday. I want to get off to a good start, I want the players to get off to a good start, I want this organization to get off to a good start. I care deeply about it, what’s in Rochester with our fans and how much they care about this team. It’s like when I played. I’ll be nervous but they’re good nerves.’’